Kit for artists



March 18, 1952 Filed June 15, 1949 C. T. ALLENBROOK KIT FOR ARTISTS 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

ATTOR N EYS March 18, l9 52 c. T. ALLENBROOK 2,589,320

KIT FOR ARTISTS Filed June 15, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet I5 27;: IA7QE- F Q INVENTOR- a 217725.222 Z'Wddif WQL I ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 18, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE" 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a kit for artists.

An object of this invention is to provide a kit for artists which will permit the making of outdoor sketches, the kit comprising all of the essential elements needed by the artists for making sketches including a portable easel which is foldable into compact form.

Another object of this invention is to provide a carrying case which in open position will form a drawing board and the lid or cover which is formed of hinged sections and is adapted to be raised with one of the sections swung forwardly so that the material carried by the lid, such as color pencils, crayons, pastel pieces or the like, will be disposed in a convenient position.

A further object of this invention is to provide a compact carrying case having extensible legs sothat the case may be set up on any convenient supporting surface.

A further object of this invention is to provide a collapsible kit or case wherein a portion of the case in open position will form a canopy over the drawing pad or paper so as to cut off glare of the sun.

In one form of the invention the carrying case is designed to be held in one hand and is provided witha swivelled handle so that the drawing board may be conveniently adjusted.

With the above and other objects in view, my invention consists in the arrangement, combination and details of construction disclosed in the drawings and specification, and then more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Figure l is a perspective view of a kit for artists constructed according to an embodiment of this invention,

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the device in open operative position,

Figure 3 is a detail end elevation of the device in collapsed position,

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view, partly broken away, of the device taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3,

Figure ,5 is a bottom plan view of a modified form of this invention,

Figure 6 is a side view of the device shown in Figure 5,

Figure 7 is a longitudinal section, partly broken away, of the device shown in Figures and 6,

Figure 8 is a detail side elevation of another modification of this invention,

- Figure-9 is a-detail rear end elevation of the device shown in Figure 8,

Figure 10 is a detail side elevation of the device shown in Figures 8 and 9, showing'the device in collapsed position,

Figure 11 is a fragmentary'sectional view taken on the line ll-ll of Figure 9,

Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line l2-l2 of Figure 11.

Referring to the drawings and first to Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, the numeral l5 designates generally a receptacle or bottom member which is formed of a rectangular frame l6 and a plate or panel l1 secured to the outer side thereof. The frame [6 includes opposite end frame members is and front and rear frame members 19 and 20. As shown in Figure l, the end frame members l8 and the front frame member I9 are formed with a longitudinally extending channel or groove 2| within which pastel pieces or crayons or pencils may be positioned, particularly when the device is in open operative position.

The receptacle l5 has hingedly secured thereto a chambered cover or closure generally designated as 22. The closure 22 includes a U-shaped frame formed of parallel side members 23 and a longitudinal member 24. Inner and outer panels 25 and 26 are secured to the frame formed of the side members 23, and the longitudinal member 24 so as to thereby form chambers 21 which are separated from each other by dividers or partitions 28.

The closure 22 also includes a shelf or ledge forming member generally designated as 29 which is hinged as at 30, to the inner closure member 22. The ledge formingmember 21 is formed of side frame members 31 and a longitudinal frame member 32. Inner and outer panels 33 and 34 are secured to the frame mem-' bers 3| and 32 forming a chamber 35 which is sub-divided into anydesired number of chambers by one or more dividers or partitions 3B.

The inner closure member 22 is hinged by hinge members 3'! to the receptacle l5 and pencil or crayon holding drawers 38 are slidably mounted in the chambers 2?. Drawers or holders 39 are also slidably disposed in the chambers '35'and' when the device is in open operative position the inner closure member 22 is adapted to be disposed on an obtuse angle to the receptacle l5, whereas the outer closure member 29 is swung downwardly to a position substantially parallel with the receptacle I5 and is held in this position by means of a supporting member 40 which may be one of the pencils removed from a holder and having one end thereof inserted into a socket or hole 4| formed in the frame member 20 and the other end of the pencil inserted into a hole or socket 42 which is formed in the panel 34 and the frame member 32.

The receptacle I5 is adapted to have a paper pad, artists tools or book 43 disposed therein, and it will be understood that the receptacle I5 is of such length and width as to hold a standard pad of drawing paper. The receptacle l5 has secured to the opposite ends 18 thereof rings or eyes 44 with which an extensible supporting strap 45 having snap hooks 46 is adapted to be engaged. The strap 45 is adapted to be extended around the neck of the user so that the forward substantially horizontal and operative position.

*The cover embodying the closure members 22 and 29 is held in collapsed or closed position by means of looped locking members 4'! engageable with keepers 48. As shown in Figure l, the frame members 23 terminate at a point rearwardly from the forward edge of the outer panel member 26 and the inner panel member 34 of closure member 29 extends the full length of the side frame members 3!, whereas the outer panel 33 terminates short of the ends of the frame members 3|. In this manner the outer and inner panels will be disposed in staggered relation so that when the outer closure member 29 is swung to retracted or collapsed position, this closure member will be disposed in alignment with the inner closure member 22.

Referring now to Figures 5, 6 and '7, there is disclosed a modified form of this invention embodying a receptacle generally designated as 49, formed of a U-shaped frame 50 having secured thereto panels 5| and 52. An intermediate partition 53 is secured between the panels 5| and 52 dividing the receptacle 49 into a pair of chambers 54 and 55 within which sliding pencil holders or drawers 56 and 51 are adapted to be positioned. The receptacle 49 in the present instant is open at one end and a handle embodying a pair of bails 58 and 59 is secured to the panel 52. The handles or bails 58 and 59 are preferably secured to a base 65 which is pivotally secured by pivot means 6| to the panel 52. In this manner the handle structure may be turned about the pivot 6| so that the user can use the drawing paper either lengthwise or crosswise, or at any selected angle.

. A relatively rigid panel 62 is pivotally secured as at 63 to the receptacle 49 and is adapted to have secured thereto a pad 64 of drawing paper. When the device is in operative position the panel 62 may be swung outwardly to substantially the position shown in Figure 7 to dispose the pad of drawing paper uppermost.

A flexible strap 65 is secured to the panel 62 and is adapted to engage about one end of the receptacle 49 and the strap 65, together with the panel 52 of the receptacle 49 include comp ementary snap fastener elements 66 so that the strap 65 may hold the panel 62 with the drawing paper thereon in closed and collapsed position.

Referring now to Figures 8 to 12 inclusive, there is disclosed a receptacle [5a which is similar in every detail to the receptacle [5 and which has hingedly secured thereto a pair of closure members 22a and 29a. The closure members 22a and 29a are similar in every detail to the closure members 22 and 29 and are formed to receive pencil or crayon holding drawers after the manner shown in Figure 1. In order to provide a means. whereby the receptacle [5a with the closures 22a and 29a may be supported in operative position on a supporting surface such as the ground or other flat surface, I have provided a pair of extensible legs 51 in the form of elongated pointed bars having elongated slots 68 through which securing bolts 69 extend. The bolts 59 extend from the side frame members [811 and wing nuts 19 are threaded on the bolt 69 and are adapted to hold or look the leg members 61 in either operative or inoperative position.

The closure members 22a and 29a are adapted to be locked in angularly adjusted position relative to each other and to the receptacle l5a by means of a pair of elongated leg members H which are pivoted as at E2 to the closure member 29a. The leg members 72 are formed with elongated slots i3 through which bolts 14 carried by the ends of the closure member 22a are adapted to loosely extend, and wing nuts 15 are threaded on the bolts 14 to provide for locking the closure members 22a, and 29a in extended position or in collapsed inoperative position.

An intermediate supporting or bracing leg 16 is slidably disposed in a channel member TI carried by the closure member 22a and the leg member 13 is formed with an elongated slot I8 through which a bolt 19 loosely engages. A wing nut is threaded on the bolt 19 and is adapted to hold the intermediate leg 15 in either extended or collapsed position. The leg 16 is adapted to be positioned in a channel 11a carried by closure 29a when leg 16 is in collapsed position so that closure 290. will be locked by leg 16 until the latter is extended. Closure I8a may be raised to the dotted position shown in Figure 8 for supporting a pad P.

In the use and operation of this invention, where the device shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive is used, the device in carrying or collapsed position will assume the position shown in Figure 3. When it is desired to open the device for sketching or the like, the two closure members 22 and 29 are swung upwardly and closure member 29 may be swung forwardly and downwardly I to a position substantially parallel with receptacle l5. The closure member 29 may be secured in an operative horizontal position by extending a pencil into the openings 41 and 42. The supporting strap 45 may be extended about the neck of the user and the receptacle [5 disposed in horizontally extended position in front of the user. The weight of the receptacle with the other elements secured thereto will hold the receptacle against the body of the user in the selected position so that the user will have both hands free.

Where it is desired to make relatively small sketches, the device shown in Figures 5 and 6 may be used. This latter device is constructed in the form of a pocket sketching kit and the device when in operative position will be disposed in substantially the position shown in Figure '7. Where it is desired to support the device from a solid and flat surface, the structure shown in Figures 8 to 12 may be used. The receptacle |5a will be supported at the forward end from the legs 67.

The kit herein disclosed provides an all-inone sketch kit which incorporates a sketch-pad, drawing board, with containers for materials and swivel handle in one unit in such a manner that the artist can support the sketch kit without muscular fatigue by means of a swivel handle beneath the sketch block which houses chambered closures that can be pulled out, displaying the working tools conveniently arranged for block and is made either as one piece with the block or as a separate part which can be attached to form a single unit. The artist supports the entire kit with one hand. The paper, pencils or pastels, etc. all being instantly available for use in one working plane, leaving the other hand free for working with. The swivel handle enables the kit to be used vertically or horizontally and folds flat when not in use.

This sketch kit is in the form of a shallow carrying case. The bottom part comprises a rectangular receptacle which forms a drawing board. The lid, which is hinged in the center, opens up and folds back on itself leaving the drawing board free for working on. The lid leans back at a convenient angle and automatically displays two tiers of chambered closures which contain artists materials. This kit is supported by means of a strap worn over the shoulders and attached to the rectangular receptacle on either side.

The artist can work with both hands free with all materials instantly available in front of him. This kit contains a full range of artists materials, sketch pad, drawing board, without loose parts and closes to form a shallow carrying case. This sketching kit may be used horizontally in standing or sitting position.

Alternatively the kit may be reversed. The artist sits down and supports the tiers of chambered closures on his knees with the rectangular receptacle forming a drawing board in an upright position. The strap is now worn around the waist and holds the drawing board firmly in place for arm's length sketching with the artists tools conveniently and instantly available,

in front of him.

The sketch kit holds sketching pad, color box, water container, dipper, sunshade, in one light weight shallow carrying case. Mounted in the center of the lid is a channel which houses an extension leg. When the extension leg is in the closed position the lid section cannot open, thus forming a locking device. To open and set up the kit this center leg is first extended. To set up the kit, it is opened up and partially folded back on itself, thus automatically extending two additional side legs, and forming a three point support with a horizontal shelf for working materials.

The bottom section of the case comprises a rectangular receptacle formed of a rectangular frame which holds the sketch pad. This can be raised or lowered as the artist requires for the fiow of his color without disturbing the stability of the horizontal shelf with his arranged materials. Two additional slotted extension legs are fitted, at either side to enable the artist to speedily adjust the sketching pad any desired angle.

What I claim is:

1. In a sketching kit comprised of a pair of hingedly connected panels, one of which forms a Writing surface, a plate pivotally secured to the center portion of the other of said panels for rotation relative thereto, and a handle pivoted to said plate whereby said plate may be adjusted to any one of a plurality of desired angles relative to the hand of the user.

2. In a sketch book kit having a cover section and a storage section, said storage section having upper and lower walls, the upper of said walls being a writing surface, a handle means swivelly secured to the center portion of said lower wall whereby the kit may readily be supported in one hand during use of the kit for sketching or writing, and adjusted to any one of a plurality of desired angles relative to the hand of the user.

CHARLES T. ALLENBROOK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

